June 30 - Atlanta 1975

The Mxf Records import-release “Atlanta 1975”, containing an unreleased audience-recording of the April 30, 1975 Evening show as recording at the Omni Coliseum, in Atlanta / Georgia, has been released. It comes with a bonus DVD contains footage from Jacksonville / Florida, April 25, 1975 and Atlanta / Georgia, June 1 and June 2, 1975. 

The first 100 copies (variation 1 of in total 5 different sleeves) deluxe edition includes a small button (3xm), photo, poster (50 x 27 CM) and copies of newspaper articles. Also is included a hand numbered "certificate".

Scotty Moore Laid To Rest

Scotty Moore was laid to rest yesterday with his parents in Humboldt, TN, not far from where he was born and grew up. The ceremony was brief and private. DJ and his wife Karen were in attendance.

(Source: Elvis On CD / James V. Roy on FECC)

June 29 - Return Of The Dragon

Due for release from JAT Publishing is "Elvis Return Of The Dragon"". The book features over 150 unreleased images from his performances in 1974 and 1976 according to the JAT website. 

(Source: JAT Publishing)

June 28 - Elvis’ Guitarist Scotty Moore Dies

He was the man behind "The Man," the one producing the signature licks amid the screams and hysteria and history making moments. Scotty Moore was one of the foundational figures in rock and roll, a profoundly influential guitarist, and the musician who helped Elvis Presley become The King.

Moore, who had been in poor health in recent months, died Tuesday in his longtime home of Nashville. He was 84.

News of Moore's death was confirmed by several sources, including Moore's friend and Phillips Recording Service engineer Matt Ross-Spang.

Along with bassist Bill Black, Moore was a member of Elvis' original band, the Blue Moon Boys, playing on the singer's epochal Sun Records sides, and continuing to work with Presley into his career with RCA. His playing would come to shape a genre and several generations of musicians, from Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page to the White Stripes' Jack White.

To Jerry Phillips' — younger son of Elvis producer/Sun founder Sam Phillips — Moore's role in the history Elvis was utterly crucial.

"Elvis Presley wouldn't have been Elvis Presley without Scotty Moore. I think my dad would agree with that," Phillips said. "You gotta remember, there were only three instruments on those things. Scotty, Bill (Black) and Elvis. Scotty really just made everything work."

As Commercial Appeal music critic Bill Ellis once noted, "Moore's style really had no precedent. His sophisticated yet economical use of the fretboard, combined with alternating flat and finger-picking techniques, may have drawn from jazz and blues, but how it was put to use — on Sun classics such as 'That's All Right,' 'Good Rockin' Tonight' and 'Mystery Train' — was something utterly new."

"I loved some of the stuff Chet (Atkins) would play, thumb and finger stuff," recalled Moore in a 2000 interview with The Commercial Appeal, "but I also loved stuff by jazz players Tal Farlow and all these guys. I'd hear a little note or two and try to make it all fit together."

Winfield Scott Moore III was born Dec. 27, 1931, on a farm situated halfway between Gadsden and Humboldt, Tennessee. The youngest of four boys, Moore began playing guitar at the age of 8.

In 1948, while under age at 16, he enlisted in the Navy, serving in Korea and China. He was discharged in 1952 and eventually moved to Memphis. His professional career began when he joined Doug Poindexter & the Starlite Wranglers, a country-western sextet that also included future Elvis bassist Bill Black. They made one single in 1954 for Sam Phillips Sun Records, "My Kind of Carryin' On." But bigger things awaited Moore and Black.

A few months after the Starlight Wranglers record came out, Moore met Presley, inviting him to his apartment for an informal audition with Black. The following evening the trio cut loose at Sun during a rehearsal break. Phillips captured them playing what many would come to consider the big bang of rock and roll, "That's All Right."

"It was a world-changing event," said Jerry Phillips, "but without Scotty it wouldn't have been world-changing."

Asked what had drawn Presley to the musicians who would be dubbed the Blue Moon Boys, Moore joked that the real appeal was that they came free. "We were all hungry looking," said Moore. "We didn't go in to cut a record. . . . Bill was working at Firestone building tires and I was working for my brother's cleaning plant blocking hats."

For the first few months of Presley's career, Moore also doubled as his manager, before being replaced by local disc jockey Bob Neal, and eventually Col. Tom Parker.

Louisiana Hayride drummer D. J. Fontana joined Presley's group in 1955. Two years later, money issues between the band and Presley's management came to a head and Moore and Black quit. They soon returned, but by then Presley had been drafted and the group effectively ended.

Black went on to form his own hit instrumental combo and record hits for Hi Records — most notably 1960's "Smokie (Part 2)" — before dying in 1965 from a brain tumor. Moore, meanwhile, focused on engineering and producing. His time at Memphis' Fernwood Records brought the 1959 hit "Tragedy" by Thomas Wayne. Moore also made records for Sam Phillips, notably the juke classic "Hey Boss Man!" by bluesman Frank Frost.

As a player, Moore would appear on several Chess sessions by Dale Hawkins and the Moonglows and cut his own solo album, 1964's "The Guitar That Changed the World," with producer Billy Sherrill.

Moore did eventually reunite with a post-Army Presley and played on many of his sessions in the 1960s. His final gig with The King came with the televised '68 Comeback special.

For much of the '60s and '70s, Moore continued to focus on his work behind the board, setting up his own studio, Music City Recorders, after moving to Nashville in 1964. He sold the studio a decade later, launching a tape duplication business while continuing to engineer sessions on a freelance basis. Over the years he worked on records for Charlie Rich, Jerry Lee Lewis, Tommy James and Ringo Starr, among others.

Following his work with Presley on the '68 Comeback special, Moore mostly gave up guitar for the better part of two decades. In 1992, fellow Sun alum and rockabilly great Carl Perkins coaxed Moore back into playing, and he appeared on the album "706 ReUnion: A Sentimental Journey."

By the late '90s, Moore had returned to the spotlight, publishing his autobiography "That's Alright Elvis," and working with D. J. Fontana on the "All the King's Men" project, an album which featured a group of high profile Moore acolytes, including Keith Richards, Jeff Beck, and Ron Wood.

Moore — inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000, and the Musicians Hall of Fame in 2006 — was elected to the Memphis Music Hall of Fame last October. He was scheduled to attend ceremonies at the Cannon Center, but the illness and eventual passing of his longtime companion Gail Pollock scotched those plans.

Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards accepted the award on his behalf. Richards praised Moore's influence on his career and those of so many other guitarists. "I started out on an acoustic guitar, then I heard Scotty Moore and I went electric," said Richards. "He opened up avenues musically in the way he worked with (bassist) Bill Black, and Elvis, of course. That was the kick-off for me and a lot of guys."

Mr. Moore was preceded in death by his father, Winfield Scott Moore Jr., his mother, Mattie Priscilla Hefley, 3 brothers and 1 sister. He is survived by 5 children, 7 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren, and many, many friends all over the world.


A private burial ceremony will be held for family and close friends in his hometown of Humboldt, Tennessee. A public memorial service will be held in Nashville within a few weeks. Details will be furnished at a later time.

Statement from Graceland

“Lisa and I, along with the entire Presley family, join the staff of Graceland in expressing our deepest condolences upon Scotty Moore’s passing," Priscilla Presley said. "Elvis loved Scotty dearly and treasured those amazing years together, both in the studio and on the road.  Scotty was an amazing musician and a legend in his own right. The incredible music that Scotty and Elvis made together will live forever and influence generations to come.” 


“The staff of Elvis Presley's Graceland is deeply saddened by the passing of Elvis's friend and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Scotty Moore," said Jack Soden, CEO of Elvis Presley Enterprises. "Scotty’s immense talent and tremendous influence on rock ‘n’ roll is legendary. His groundbreaking recordings and performances with Elvis and Bill Black launched Elvis’ career and forever changed music and the world. We send our heartfelt condolences to Scotty’s family, friends and his millions of fans worldwide.” 


Steve Binder
When I told Elvis my idea about video taping the improv segments, he asked me  if he could have Scotty Moore and D.J. Fontana fly in to participate in the  segment. He told me that nobody could play "the licks" on a guitar like Scotty.  I believed him and boy, I'm glad I did! What an amazing talent and what a  gentleman! RIP

Pasty Anderson
It is true! Scotty Moore died early this morning peacefully in his sleep. My  heart is broken. 

James Burton and Louise

Wow...another great one gone. Sadly, I was given the news today that my friend Scotty Moore has passed away. He was truly a great player...one of the  pioneers...  and his friends and fans will truly miss him. Please join Louise and I in  praying for Scotty's family and may he rest in peace. Thank you and God  Bless.

(Source: Commercial Appeal / Bob Mehr / Jody Callahan / EPE)

June 27 - Holding His Own For The Ladies

Coming out soon is the 8th volume of Straight Arrow's "From The Booth tapes“ series. It's 2xCD entitled "One For The Ladies" featuring Elvis' Dinner and Midnight show from February 10th 1973. 

From the press-release:
These recordings are taken directly from original 'booth recorded' mastertapes. Both these concerts showcase Elvis in fine form. It was a busy month, with many highs and lows, but thanks to the outstanding success of the ‘Aloha’ special, Elvis' reputation as the ultimate superstar was now firmly cemented. 

There were a few off-nights due to Elvis having the flu, but he was certainly in good spirits at these two concerts, and he delivered the goods to two packed showrooms. These excellent sound booth recordings capture the excitement of these shows beautifully. The Dinner show is previously unreleased, except for portions of an incomplete soundboard recording with a bass-heavy mix and Elvis' voice in the background (CDs ""Echoes Of Aloha" and "Aloha, Jerry!", both on the Audionics label in 2013). The Midnight show has been previously released on CD ("I'd Like You To Meet Jack Lord" on the Crown label in 2002, and the slightly improved "Turning Up The Heat In Las Vegas" on Memory Records in 2003). However, these older CDs have nothing to do with this Straight Arrow’s excellent "booth tape“ version. 

Tracks CD1 - Saturday, February 10, 1973 Dinner Show: 
01. Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra - 02. C. C. Rider - 03. I Got A Woman / Amen - 04. Love Me Tender - 05. You Don't Have To Say You Love Me - 06. Steamroller Blues - 07. You Gave Me A Mountain - 08. Fever - 09. Love Me - 10. Blue Suede Shoes - 11. Heartbreak Hotel - 12. Johnny B. Goode - 13. Hound Dog - 14. What Now My Love - 15. Suspicious Minds - 16. Introductions of singers, musicians, orchestra - 17. I’ll Remember You (dedicated to Jack Lord) - 18. I Can’t Stop Loving You - 19. An American Trilogy - 20. Can't Help Falling In Love - 21. Closing Vamp / Announcements / Comments by fans. 
Approx. running time: 50:41 

Tracks CD2 - Saturday, February 10, 1973 Midnight Show: 
01. Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra - 02. C. C. Rider - 03. I Got A Woman / Amen - 04. Love Me Tender - 05. You Don't Have To Say You Love Me - 06. Steamroller Blues - 07. You Gave Me A Mountain - 08. Fever - 09. Love Me - 10. Blue Suede Shoes -11. Heartbreak Hotel - 12. Johnny B. Goode - 13. Hound Dog - 14. What Now My Love - 15. Suspicious Minds - 16. Introductions of singers, musicians, orchestra - 17. Introduction of boxer Jerry Quarry & actor Jack Lord / Hawaii 5-0 theme - 18. I’ll Remember You (false start only) / I Can’t Stop Loving You (with false start & reprise) - 19. An American Trilogy - 20. Can't Help Falling In Love - 21. Closing Vamp / Announcements. 
Approx. running time: 47:13

Holding His Own In Tahoe!

The Straight Arrow importlabel announced the release of the previously unreleased concert from Elvis’ last season in Lake Tahoe, "Holding His Own In Tahoe" containing the May 8, 1976 Midnight Show.  

From the press-release:

Opinions on the standard of Elvis' last stint in Lake Tahoe often vary. Granted, he did look quite bloated during these shows, and the jumpsuits often looked unflattering, but Elvis was generally in good voice. He delivered his longest ever shows in Tahoe and the King really did seemed to enjoy the intimacy of the showroom, along with the rapport with the fans in attendance there. 

The May 8th 1976 Midnight Show is, without doubt, one of best concerts from the engagement. With the exception of a messed-up "The Wonder Of You", Elvis performed consistently well at this concert. His delivery, on the whole, was very strong. There’s a nice intimacy to the recording, and his interplay with audience and musicians alike was a true delight. There were also a number of vocally-impressive renditions, one being Elvis’ latest RCA single, “Hurt", which he performed twice. Also Worth a mention were solid performances of "Polk Salad Annie", "My Way", "Tryin' To Get To You" and "Mystery Train / Tiger Man". 

A water pistol fight at the beginning of the show underlined how much Elvis was enjoying himself. A most interesting concert in rather good sound quality - ask your dealer for sound samples. As usual, this new release will be presented in a beautiful 4-panel digipak that includes a great deal of information plus Lake Tahoe memorabilia and rare photos taken during the season. If you liked our other Lake Tahoe 1976 releases like “A Triple Threat!” (SA/SP 2011-03-02), we'll bet that you will also love this one! 

Tracklist CD 1:
01. Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra - 02. C. C. Rider - 03. I Got A Woman / Amen - 04. Love Me - 05. If You Love Me Let Me Know - 06. You Gave Me A Mountain - 07. All Shook Up - 08. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel - 09. Tryin' To Get To You - 10. My Way - 11. Polk Salad Annie.

Tracklist CD 2:
01. Introductions of singers, musicians, orchestra - 02. Early Morning Rain - 03. What'd I Say - 04. Johnny B. Goode - 05. Drum Solo (Ronnie Tutt) - 06. Bass Solo (Jerry Scheff) - 07. Piano Solo (Tony Brown) - 08. Electric Piano & Clavinet Solo (David Briggs) - 09. Love Letters - 10. School Day - 11. Hurt #1 - 12. Hurt #2 - 13. Fever - 14. Softly As I Leave You - 15. My Heavenly Father Watches Over Me (Kathy Westmoreland) - 16. Danny Boy (Sherrill Nielsen) - 17. Hound Dog - 18. Introduction of Vernon Presley - 19. The Wonder Of You (with false start) - 20. Hawaiian Wedding Song - 21. Mystery Train / Tiger Man - 22. Can't Help Falling In Love - 23. Closing Vamp.
Approx. running time: 84:30

Lisa Marie Presley Has Filed For Divorce

Elvis' 48-year-old daughter wants full custody of the couple's twin 7-year-old daughters. She wants to give her musician hubby, Michael Lockwood, visitation, but only monitored.
Sources connected with the couple tell TMZ they had a postnup ... the divorce docs say nothing about any division of property. Lisa Marie cites irreconcilable differences for the divorce and she lists the date of separation as June 13th. One source made it clear, "She doesn't want any of his money." She is not asking for any spousal support or child support. The couple married in 2006.

Taking Care of Fans

The "Taking Care of Business" book and CD set and the Classic Album re-issue of "Speedway" have been released by the Follow That Dream Collectors label. 

The "Speedway" 2-CD set is a must-have for Elvis and "Speedway" fans! The first disc includes Elvis and Nancy Sinatra tunes, as well as remixed soundtrack masters. The second disc features outtakes and the original mono LP master according to the press-release.

Tracks CD 1 - Original Album: Speedway - There Ain’t Nothing Like A Song (With Nancy Sinatra) - Your Time Hasn’t Come Yet, Baby - Who Are You? (Who Am I?) - He’s Your Uncle Not Your Dad - Let Yourself Go - Your Groovy Self (Nancy Sinatra) - Five Sleepy Heads - Western Union - Mine - Goin’ Home - Suppose

Remixed Soundtrack Masters: There Ain’t Nothing Like A Song - Your Time Hasn’t Come Yet, Baby - Five Sleepy Heads - Who Are You? (Who Am I?) - Speedway - Suppose - Let Yourself Go - He’s Your Uncle Not Your Dad

Outtakes: Suppose (Long Version) - Let Yourself Go (Take 5) - Let Yourself Go (Take 6) - Your Time Hasn’t Come Yet, Baby (Movie Version) - Goin’ Home (Take 16 & 23) - Mine (Take 1, 2, 3 & 4) - Mine (Take 8 & 9) - Mine (Take 13) - Suppose (Nashville Master)

CD 2 - The Original Mono LP Master:
Speedway - There Ain’t Nothing Like A Song (With Nancy Sinatra) - Your Time Hasn’t Come Yet, Baby - Who Are You? (Who Am I?) - He’s Your Uncle Not Your Dad - Let Yourself Go - Your Groovy Self (Nancy Sinatra) - Five Sleepy Heads - Western Union - Mine - Goin’ Home - Suppose - Suppose (Long Version)

Taking Care of Business book

The product of a two-year-long collaboration between David English, Pål Granlund and Paul Richardson, Taking Care Of Business - In A Flash offers readers a detailed chronicle of Elvis Presley's personal life and public career between the autumn of 1970 and the early weeks of 1971.

This eventful period included not only a successful road-tour, the release of a movie-documentary and two albums, and a return for a fourth stint at the International Hotel in Las Vegas, but also Elvis' legendary meeting with President Richard Nixon and his receipt of a national honor from the US Junior Chamber of Commerce. All these events and other happenings are covered comprehensively and in meticulous detail.

Across 450 pages, the story is told through newspaper articles, exclusive interviews, and primary documents that have been collected from personal collections, national archives and public libraries. The book is also illustrated throughout with several hundred photographs, many of which are previously unpublished.

The hard-cover book is accompanied by a bonus CD that contains rare material from the time. This includes three officially unreleased alternative recordings from the soundtrack LP Elvis: That's The Way It Is and two original 1970 mono single-releases that appear here on CD for the first time. The disc also includes an audience recording of Elvis' concert in Portland, Oregon on November 11, 1970 which, remastered and upgraded by Jan Eliasson, is likewise given its first official release.

As a complete package, this book/CD-combo takes fans back to an eventful period in Elvis' later life and career when he - and the people around him - really did take care of business in a flash.

Features

Hardcover, large-format book with 450 pages that offer detailed coverage of Elvis' life and career between the autumn of 1970 and the first weeks of 1971
Features several hundred photographs, many of them candid and previously unpublished
Contains rare documents, reports from the time, and new and exclusive interviews
Comes with a bonus CD that offers unreleased versions of studio-tracks from June 1970 and a remastered recording of Elvis' concert in Portland, Oregon on November 11, 1970

Tracks Taking Care Of Business - In A Flash The CD:

01.Twenty Days And Twenty Nights (undubbed master) 
02. How The Web Was Woven (undubbed master) 
03. Bridge Over Troubled Water (unreleased stereo master without the overdubbed applause) 
04. You Don't Have To Say You Love Me (original RCA mono single version) 
05. Patch It Up (original RCA mono single version) 
06. Audio of original "Elvis: That's the Way It Is" theatrical trailer 
07. I Really Don't Want To Know (original RCA mono single version) 
08. There Goes My Everything (original RCA mono single version) 
09. Elvis; Live In Portland (Nov.11, 1970) 
09.01.That's All Right 
09.02. I Got A Woman / Amen 
09.03. Love Me Tender 
09.04. You Don't Have To Say You Love Me 
09.05. Sweet Caroline 
09.06. You've Lost That Loving Feeling 
09.07. Polk Salad Annie 
09.08. Johnny B. Goode 
09.09. How Great Thou Art 
09.10. The Wonder Of You 
09.11. Heartbreak Hotel 
09.12. Blue Suede Shoes 
09.13. Hound Dog 
09.14. Bridge Over Troubled Water 
09.15. Suspicious Minds 
09.16. Funny How Time Slips Away 
09.17. Can't Help Falling In Love 
10. Elvis' Jaycees Award Acceptance Speech 

(Source: FECC / TMZ / FTD / The Elvis Shop London)

June 25 - Taking Care of the Beat

Here is a pre-release copy of the upcoming "Taking Care of Business" book / CD set. The set should be due soon. 

The Beat Is Back

The E.P. Collector import-label double CD "The Beat Is Back", containing the 20.30 Show from April 21, 1976 as recorded at the Kemper Arena in Kansas City, MO., has been released.

(Source: Garfield on FECC / Elvis Aktuell)

June 24 - Unheard Vinyl Book Updates

The “Roustabout” soundtrack will be re-issued by the Friday Music label on August 19, 2016. It comes on 180 gram audiophile translucent orange vinyl as a “Limited Anniversary Edition” in a gatefold cover.

Book Updates

Erik Lorentzen has announced more details about the first of his series of books called the “Gold Standard Series”. These books will focus on highlights in Elvis’ wonderful career in the same way that 'A Touch Of Gold Lame' did.


Two books will be released later this year, both celebrating the sixtieth anniversary of the events covered in the books. “Elvis In Person - The Florida Tour Of August 1956” with a worldwide release  on August 3, 2016. “At The Mississippi Alabama Fair And Dairy Show” on September 26, 1956 Tupelo. 


Volume 8 in the “Elvis Files” series should be out soon. This marks the last chapter in this series and it covers the years 1976 and 1977 from the 1976 new year eve concert in Pittsburgh until the last months of Elvis Presley’s life in 1977.

Unheard Way Down in the Jungle Room sessions

In early May, we reported some interesting Elvis Presley happenings afoot at the Phillips Recording Service. 
Although details were vague, officials from Sony/Legacy - the custodians of the Presley catalog - and longtime Elvis TCB band members were on hand at Phillips to work on tracks for an upcoming project. Though unconfirmed officially, the work was reportedly for a 40th anniversary package marking the King's 1976 home recording sessions at Graceland's Jungle Room. 

We mixed 18 tracks from the Jungle Room sessions, and the really cool thing is James Burton, Norbert Putnam, David Briggs, Ronnie Tutt - all those guys who played with Elvis came to town and hung out while I mixed, says Ross-Spang. It's pretty interesting mixing with James Burton standing over your shoulder. Ross-Spang's work offers a sparer-sounding version of the Jungle Room material. 

Those songs were originally done on 16-track at the house, but afterward, (Elvis producer) Felton Jarvis took the tracks back to Nashville and added strings and horns and overdubs. Which was cool, but it's really great just to have the original kind of swamp-y tracks, real bare bones. I think that's where some of the material really shines.

(Source: Elvis Information Network / FECC / Amazon)

June 23 - Spiced Hollywood Takes

CMT import-label is proud to present their latest release which promises to be a winner! The STAR team has done all the edits on this album, and they made magic once more! Unlike other “import” labels, they truly were able to produce a great "new album , using many incomplete takes , to create beautiful new tracks. Their professional edits will blow you away, and will make you believe these are unreleased takes. Some new “alternate masters” were made and the result is amazing; just listen to the breathtaking version of “Steppin’ Out of Line” or the new “bluesy” opening of “Slowly But Surely".
Elvis fans have been spoiled over the years, and they all know.. “the end is near” almost every complete take available has been released, so this is as close as you can get for a “New” album, an album which won’t leave your player this summer!

The set comes in a “Deluxe Digipack” with beautiful artwork, and is strictly limited to 500 copies!

Tracklisting: 
Blue Hawaii - Spliced take 4,6,3 Almost Always True - Spliced take 6,5 Didja Ever - spliced take 1,2 * Pocketful of Rainbows - Spliced take 19,20 Steppin Out of Line - Alternate Master Slowly But Surely - Spliced take 3,4,1 (bluesy intro) If You Think I Dont Need You - Spliced take 5,7 What a wonderful Life - Spliced take 5,6 Tonights So Right For Love - Spliced take 5,6 We'll Be Together - Spliced take 8,10 One Broken Heart for Sale - Spliced take 3,5 The Bullfighter Was A Lady - Spliced take 9,7 * Ku u I po - Spliced take 2,5 Animal Instinct - Spliced take 3,4 A Dogs Life - Spliced take 5,4 C'mon Everybody - - Spliced take 1,3 King of the Whole Wide World (remake) - Spliced take 2,3 Cross My Heart Hope to Die - Spliced take 9,11 Smorgasbord - Spliced take 4,2 What's She Really Like - Spliced 16,11 Ito Eats - Spliced take 2,4,5 Girl Happy - Alternate Master * A Cane and A High Starched Collar - Alternate Master * Stay Away, Joe - Spliced take 15,16,13 Island of Love - Spliced take 4,4,8 Stop Look and Listen - Spliced take 5,6 Take Me To the Fair - Spliced take 5,7 Where Do You Come From - Spliced take 13,14 * Let Yourself Go - Spliced take 5,6 * Almost in Love - Spliced take 1,6 
Tracks marked with * are previously released.

(Source: CMT)

June 22 - Charts

Elvis Presley has no entries on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart for the week ending July 2, 2016. 

The "ELV1S: 30 No.1 Hits" is a re-entry at #22 on the Billboard Country Catalog Album Chart.
The "If I Can Dream" CD drops from #4 to #5 on the Billboard Classical Album Chart.

UK Charts

Elvis Presley's "If I Can Dream climbed from #134 to #123 on the Official UK Album chart.
On the UK Budget Albums The "The Real ... Elvis" climbed from #23 to #22 while "ELV1S 30 #1 Hits climbed from #29 to #27.

(Source: Brian Quinn / FECC)

June 21 - A Little Thing Called Life And Death

Here is the cover-art for Linda Thompson's memoir "A Little Thing Called Life" in which she sheds startling new light on three of her famous exes according to US Weekly. The book hits shelves on August 23, 2016. 

Thompson, 66, divulges all the details on her nearly five-year romance with the late Elvis Presley in the 1970s and her marriages to Olympic gold medalist Caitlyn Jenner (then known as Bruce Jenner) and Grammy-winning record producer David Foster.

The nostalgia-inducing cover includes throwback photos of the King of Rock 'n' Roll, Jenner and the exes’ two sons with Caitlyn, Brandon and Brody Jenner.

Additionally, the book is chock-full of colorful stories about her songwriting, acting and modeling careers. The Memphis, Tennessee, native — and former Miss Tennessee Universe — is particularly known for voicing the Peanuts character Lucy on several Charlie Brown specials and cowriting Whitney Houston's "I Have Nothing," one of the several smash singles from the landmark soundtrack to 1992's The Bodyguard.

“My time on this planet has presented me with extraordinary circumstances, opportunities for growth and the gift of deep and abiding love. I feel a responsibility to life itself to share my experiences in the hope that others may find solace, inspiration, forgiveness, hope and a sense of connection in their own lives. That is the motivation for this memoir,” Thompson exclusively tells.

“My personal life has always taken precedence over my professional one without a modicum of regret,” she adds. “The fact that we are all human and fallible does not take away anything from the potential for greatness — it simply connects us to each other. From my heart to yours, I share my story.”

Matt Harper, HarperCollins’ executive editor of creative development, adds, “Linda’s story spans decades of entertainment history and presents a look inside some of the most enigmatic stars of our time in a way that few can. From her candid portrait of Elvis to how she dealt with Bruce Jenner’s revelation, keeping the secret for nearly thirty years, this book will raise eyebrows and cause plenty of laughs, but more than anything, it will share the messy yet human side of what her time in the spotlight has been like.”

Wayne Jackson, Trumpeter With Memphis Horns, Dies at 74

Wayne Jackson performed on recordings by numerous top-shelf artists, including Otis Redding, Elvis Presley, Neil Diamond and U2.

Trumpet player Wayne Jackson, who played standout horn lines on rock 'n' roll, soul, R&B and pop mainstays along with Memphis Horns partner and tenor saxophonist Andrew Love, has died. He was 74.  He played on Elvis hits like "In the Ghetto" and "Suspicious Minds."

His wife, Amy, said her husband died of congestive heart failure Tuesday night at a hospital with her by his side. Jackson had been hospitalized and released June 7 before taking a turn for the worse Monday night and being readmitted.

"He led an incredible life and he left an amazing music legacy," Amy Jackson said.

Jackson and Love performed on recordings by numerous top-shelf artists, including Otis Redding, Elvis Presley, Neil Diamond and U2. Jackson and Love - the Memphis Horns - were awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in February 2012, only the second instrumental backup group in history to receive the honor at the time. According to his wife, in his acceptance speech, he said, "It's been a dance of love between me and that trumpet."

(Source: US Weekly / Twitter / Billboard)

June 17 - Showroom Charts

The Plastic Head label released the CD "Elvis Presley - In The Beginning: 14 Classic Sun Recordings" containing early live recordings and hits.

Showroom Release

The AudiRec import-release “Elvis - Hilton Showroom Volume 4” has been released. It contains the complete March 31, 1975 Dinner Show performance as recorded at the Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas.

Charts

The CD “If I Can Dream” climbed from #6 to $4 on the US Billboard Classic Album Chart. 

The CD “If I Can Dream” dropped off the Official UK Album Sales chart. On the Physical Albums sales chart the CD dropped from #65 to #87. 

The CD “If I Can Dream” dropped off the Belgian UltraPop Album chart after it’s re-entry at #193 last week. 

The DVD “Elvis – The King Of Rock’n’Roll – 30 Hit Performances And More” dropped off the Australian Music DVD charts. 

(Source: FECC / Elvis Club Berlin)

June 16 - Atlanta 1975

The MxF import-label announced the release of "Atlanta 1975" featuring the unreleased Show from Atlanta April 30, 1975 plus a bonus DVD with unreleased footage from the same tour.

From the press-release:
After the successful Las Vegas Hilton comeback, in spite a little bit overweight but with strong spirit, Elvis is ready to face his first tour of the 1975.. The rock attitude is back the performance is relaxed and superb like many critics noted…, still at the top if his ability he deliveries the classic one hour show as usually, but very intense updating the show with more contemporary repertoire, tossing away mostly of the oldies..There is a freshness that cannot be denied, Elvis was very energetic on stage, bringing back his best seventy rocker like Burning Love and his first That’s All Right Mama…and naturally his karate exercises…introducing his latest rocker single Trouble. He sang with rough power and sensitivity at the same time, delivering a solid short show, with songs like Let Be There recent hit from Olivia Newton-John” and the classic “My Boy” sang terrifically. Elvis finally started to perform again his rocking repertoire appearing to be more focused on the music.

The sound is very good for an ambient recording, considering that this kind of recording is coming from a big hall no the intimate Las Vegas showroom… We have on our hands the original mono tape of extremely good quality enabling us to carry out a simple re-mastering work, concentrating on the reduction of noise trying to achieve a more clear sound balancing the channel and put at the right speed the tape. The result a pretty dynamic tape with a great definition of the background music and for sure you can live the atmosphere of a Elvis’ concert in the seventy.

About the DVD in spite we are talking about amateur footage, we are proud of the work done..after careful remastering work in the matter to delivery the best video to date, including matching audio from the original concert in the way to get a perfect sync between audio and image with speed correction of the original footage we can say that watching this DVD you can have the perfect idea and overall, you can live the Elvis’ show in April 1975 tour…

This is the first very special Product for this label, this new CD and DVD combo will be housed in a deluxe long digi-pack, containing a 12 pages of booklet with focus and details on the four shows included in the live footage with a collection of live photographs newspapers clips and memorabilia plus a high quality glossy 135 gram paper poster of 50x25 cm size.

In matter to have a special collector item, the 500 copies will be presented with five different sleeves VARIATION, the same for the poster too. All the copies will come hand numbered and individually sealed and Please remember!! This is a limited hand numbered edition of 500 copies. The first 100 copies (variation 1 of sleeve) deluxe edition will have exclusive content. CD time about 65.00 min 

Tracklist Atlanta April 30, 1975:
01. Intro/See See Rider 02. I Got A Woman /Amen 03. Love me 04. If You Love Let Me Know 05. Love Me Tender 06. All Shook Up 07. Teddy Bear/Don’t Be Cruel 08. I’ll Remember You 09. Help Me 10. How Great Thou Art 11. Band Intro 12. Solos 13. Band Intro 14. Hail! Hail! Rock & Roll 15. My Boy 16. T.R.O.U.B.L.E. 17. It’s Now Or Never 18. Let Me Be There 19. An American Trilogy 20. Burning Love 21. Funny How Time Slips Away 22. That’s All Right 23. Can’t Help Falling Love /Closing Vamp 

The DVD (total playing time 40  minutes) includes previously unreleased footage from Jacksonville, FL April 25 and Atlanta GA. June 1 and 2.  

April 25 1975 (8:30 pm). Jacksonville FL. Vet. Memorial Coliseum. 
Excerpts: 01. Intro /See See Rider 2,27 02. I Got A Woman 0.58 03. Burning Love 1.00 04. T.R.O.U.B.L.E 0.10 05.Can’t Help Falling Love /Closing Vamp 2.39

May 1 1975 (8:30 pm). Atlanta GA. Omni Coliseum 
Excerpts: 01.Intro /See See Rider 3.11. 02.I got A Woman 3.08 03. Love Me 0.35 04.If You Love Me Let Me Know 0.10. 05. Love Me Tender 1.30 . 06. All Shook Up 0.46 . 07.Kiss intermezzo 0.30 08.Burning Love 1.48. 09.Kiss Intermezzo 0.42. 10. Can’t Help Falling Love 0.28

May 2 1975 (8:30 pm). Atlanta GA. Omni Coliseum 
Excerpts: 01. Intro /See See Rider 3.05 02. I got A Woman 3.10 03. Love Me 0.28 04. Love Me Tender 2.00 05. All Shook Up 0.36 06.Burning Love 3.00 07.Steamroller Blues 0.50 08. T.R.O.U.B.L.E. 0.40 09. Can’t Help Falling Love 4.19 

Way Down In The Jungle Room Press-release

EPE posted a press-release on their site:


RCA Records and Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, will release "Way Down In The Jungle Room," a definitive new 2-CD collection of Elvis Presley's last studio recordings, on Friday, August 5.

The most complete and comprehensive collection of Presley's final studio recordings ever assembled in one anthology, "Way Down In The Jungle Room" is an essential and welcome addition for every fan's library. In the mid-1970s, Elvis, the King of Rock 'n' Roll, became another kind of pioneer as one of the world's first major recording artists to create fully-realized professional level records in the intimacy of his own home studio.

With original recordings executive-produced by Elvis Presley with producer Felton Jarvis (who'd helmed most of Elvis' records from 1966-1977), "Way Down In The Jungle Room" brings together, for the first time in one collection, master recordings and rare outtakes laid down during two mythic sessions (February 2-8, 1976 and October 28-30, 1976) in Graceland's den -- known as the Jungle Room -- which was converted into a professional caliber recording studio for the purpose of capturing these indelible performances. The outtakes have been newly mixed by Grammy Award-winning engineer Matt Ross-Spang at Sam Phillips Recording in Memphis, Tennessee.

For these sessions, Elvis was backed by many members of his longtime touring band including: James Burton (guitar), Ronnie Tutt (drums), David Briggs (keyboards), Glenn D. Hardin (keyboards), Jerry Scheff (bass), Norbert Putnam (bass) and J.D. Sumner & the Stamps (vocals).

In 1976, when the tracks for "Way Down In The Jungle Room" were cut, Elvis Presley had been an RCA Records recording artist for 20 years, inventing the sound and attitude that defined the very essence of rock 'n' roll. That same year, RCA released The Sun Sessions, the label's first official collection of the electrifying 1954-1955 Elvis recordings that launched his career while transforming the world. 

Having entered his 40s, Elvis Presley was evolving as an artist and, rather than bask in the nostalgia of his 1950s watershed recordings, was looking for new ways to express himself musically. Needing to create new sounds for a new era, Elvis Presley--who'd been charting on Country and Adult Contemporary stations -- decided to convert the Hawaiian-themed Jungle Room (a relaxation den in his fabled Graceland mansion in Memphis, Tennessee) into an informal home studio, where he could lay down tracks the way he wanted, outside the budget and scheduling pressures of the professional studios he'd worked in previously. With the help of RCA's mobile recording truck and longtime producer Felton Jarvis and engineer Mike Moran at the board, Elvis tackled a far-ranging mix of country and pop covers ("Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain," "I'll Never Fall in Love Again," "Danny Boy," "Solitaire") and late-period classics of his catalog, such as "Moody Blue" and "Way Down." 

Ten of the Jungle Room master takes first emerged on From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee in the spring of 1976, including the Top 10 hit "Hurt." More tracks from these sessions were later paired with live material and released in July 1977 (a month before Elvis' death on August 16) on the "Moody Blue" album. The title track would top the country charts that month; "Way Down" would follow. These were the last studio albums released during Elvis' lifetime.

According to the album's producers, "Way Down In The Jungle Room" has been resequenced to "bring a fresh perspective to the material." The material on Disc 2 - The Outtakes was mixed for this collection at the Sam Phillips Recording Service in Memphis and includes both outtakes and in-the-studio dialog, providing a "fly-on-the-wall experience of what the sessions were like." With the exception of track 13 ("She Thinks I Still Care"), the performances on Disc 2 have been sequenced in the order they were recorded.

Way Down In The Jungle Room with also be available on 150g 12" vinyl in a 2LP gatefold sleeve and as a digital collection.

Way Down In The Jungle Room may be pre-ordered now at Shop Graceland.

CD Elvis Presley - "Way Down In The Jungle Room":
CD 1: 01. Way Down 02. She Thinks I Still Care 03. Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall 04. Pledging My Love 05. For The Heart 06. Love Coming Down 07. He'll Have To Go 08. Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain 09. Hurt 10. Never Again 11. Danny Boy 12. Solitaire 13. Moody Blue 14. It's Easy For You 15. I'll Never Fall In Love Again 16. The Last Farewell - CD 2: 01. Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall (Take 1) 02. She Thinks I Still Care (Take 10) 03. The Last Farewell (Take 2) 04. Solitaire (Take 7) 05. I'll Never Fall In Love Again (Take 5) 06. Moody Blue (Take 1) 07. For The Heart (Take 1) 08. Hurt (Take 3) 09. Danny Boy (Take 9) 10. Never Again (Take 9) 11. Love Coming Down (Take 3) 12. Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain (Take 4) 13. She Thinks I Still Care (Take 2) 14. It's Easy For You (Take 1) 15. Way Down (Take 2) 16. Pledging My Love (Take 3) 17. For The Heart (Take 4)

Vinyl Elvis Presley - "Way Down In The Jungle Room":
Side A: 1. Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall – take 1, 2. She Thinks I Still Care – take 10, 3. The Last Farewell – take 2, 4. Solitaire – take 7 – Side B: 1. I'll Never Fall In Love Again – take 5, 2. Moody Blue – take 1, 3. For The Heart – take 1, 4. Hurt – take 3, 5. Danny Boy – take 9 – Side C: 1. Never Again – take 9, 2. Love Coming Down – take 3, 3. Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain – take 4, 4. She Thinks I Still Care – (alternate version) take 2 – Side D: 1. It's Easy For You – take 1, 2. Way Down – take 2, 3. Pledging My Love – take 3, 4. For The Heart – take 4

(Source: FECC / EPE)

June 15 - Elvis On Television CD Released

The first copies of the double CD / book "Elvis On Television 1956 - 1960 The Complete Sound Recordings" has been released. 

From the press-release: 
Continuing celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of Elvis’ first appearance on national television, Memphis Recording Service will release a 2CD/100-page set titled: ‘Elvis On Television 1956 - 1960 The Complete Sound Recordings" on June 26th 2016. 

The recordings contain the complete archival recordings of Elvis Presley’s television appearances from 1956-60. For the first time ever, these tracks been painstakingly re-mastered and restored. Fans who have enjoyed our previous mastered works will be pleased to know that our restoration techniques have now been applied to these historical television soundtrack recordings. 

The quality of these recordings are now far superior than ever released before. The recordings contain all song tracks, comedy sketch routines and interviews including the extended Wink Martindale dialogue with Dewey Phillips. The 100-page book is a chronological photo journey following Elvis from the very first in 1956, to his appearance on The Frank Sinatra show in 1960. It contains liner notes accompanied by many rare and new unpublished photographs.

Tracks: Elvis On Television 1956 - 1960 The Complete Sound Recordings

The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show (28.01.1956):
Introduction & Bill Randle Introduces Elvis Presley - Shake Rattle And Roll / Flip Flop And Fly - I Got A Woman

The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show (04.02.1956):
Introduction - Baby Let's Play House - Tutti Frutti

The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show (11.02.1956):
Introduction - Blue Suede Shoes - Heartbreak Hotel (With Orchestra)

The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show (18.02.1956):
Introduction - Tutti Frutti - I Was The One

The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show (17.03.1956):
Introduction - Blue Suede Shoes - Heartbreak Hotel

The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show (24.03.1956):
Introduction - Money Honey - Heartbreak Hotel

The Milton Berle Show (03.04.1956):
Introduction & Shake Rattle And Roll (In Part) - Milton Berle Introduces Elvis Presley - Heartbreak Hotel - Blue Suede Shoes - Milton Berle & Elvis Presley Comedy Sketch - Blue Suede Shoes (Reprise)

The Milton Berle Show (05.06.1956):
Introduction - Hound Dog - Milton Berle & Elvis Presley & Debra Paget Comedy Sketch - Milton Berle Introduces Elvis Presley - I Want You I Need You I Love You - Milton Berle Presents Elvis Billboard Award

Wink Martindale - Top Ten Dance Party (16.06.1956):
Wink Martindale Interviews Elvis Presley & Dewey Phillips Singing Money Honey

The Steve Allen Show (01.07.1956):
Introduction / Dialogue With Steve Allen - I Want You I Need You I Love You - Hound Dog - Yippee Yi Yo Yippee Yi Yay (Comedy Routine With Steve Allen, Elvis Presley, Imogene Coca & Andy Griffith)

Hy Gardner (01.07.1956):
Calling Elvis (Interview)

The Ed Sullivan Show (09.09.1956):
Introduction And Charles Laughton Introduces Elvis - Don't Be Cruel - Love Me Tender - Ready Teddy - Hound Dog

The Ed Sullivan Show (28.10.1956):
Introduction Ed Sullivan - Don't Be Cruel - Introduction Ed Sullivan - Love Me Tender - Introduction Ed Sullivan - Love Me - Hound Dog - Elvis Talks Farewell

The Ed Sullivan Show (06.01.1957):
Ed Sullivan Introduction - Hound Dog - Love Me Tender - Heartbreak Hotel - Don't Be Cruel - Too Much - Elvis Talks - When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again - Ed Sullivan Speaks - (There'll Be) Peace In The Valley - Ed Sullivan Farewells Elvis

The Frank Sinatra Show (26.03.1960):
It's Very Nice to Travelling (With Frank & Nancy Sinatra, Joey Bishop & Sammy Davis Jr.) - Fame And Fortune - Stuck On You - Frank Sinatra And Joey Bishop Talk To Elvis - Witchcraft / Love Me Tender (With Frank Sinatra) - Love Me Tender (Reprise With Frank Sinatra) - Frank Sinatra And Nancy Sinatra Farewells Elvis.

(Source: Memphis Recording Service)

June 14 - Memphis Songwriter and Producer Chips Moman Dies

Lincoln “Chips” Moman, who, as a songwriter, producer and studio owner, was responsible for numerous hits that came out of Memphis in the ’60s, has died. He was 79.

We learned this via the Commercial Appeal, saying that he was in a hospice facility in his hometown of LaGrange, Ga, and that he had been in bad health for several years. Marty Lacker, a member of Elvis Presley‘s “Memphis Mafia” and a longtime friend, confirmed the news to the newspaper.
Originally a rockabilly guitarist, Moman was part of the Stax Records crew as a writer and an engineer in its early years, working on such classics as William Bell’s “You Don’t Miss Your Water” and Carla Thomas’ “Gee Whiz.” But he left in 1962, telling Rob Bowman in his history of Stax, Soulsville, U.S.A., that label co-founder Jim Stewart had reneged on a promise to become a part-owner of the company.

He founded American Sound Studio in 1962 and, with his house band known as the Memphis Boys, the studio birthed dozens of hits that seamlessly blended rock, pop and soul, particularly between 1967 and its closing in 1972. This included the Box Tops’ “The Letter,” Neil Diamond‘s “Sweet Caroline” and Merrilee Rush’s “Angel of the Morning.” Following his 1968 comeback, Elvis Presley recorded at American Sound, cutting “Suspicious Minds,” “Kentucky Rain” and the From Elvis in Memphis album with Moman behind the boards. Dusty Springfield’s classic Dusty in Memphis — which included “Son of a Preacher Man” — was also recorded at American Sound. Moman and Dan Penn also wrote two of Southern soul’s definitive songs, Aretha Franklin‘s “Do Right Woman, Do Right Man” and James Carr’s “Dark End of the Street.”

After leaving Memphis, he settled in Nashville and became an in-demand songwriter and producer, working with such stars as B.J. Thomas — Moman wrote “(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song” — Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings. He produced Highwayman, the supergroup comprised of Nelson, Jennings, Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson.
He returned to Memphis in 1985 to create another studio, but it didn’t have the success of American Sound and he eventually left Memphis for LaGrange. A plaque was erected by the Shelby County Historical Commission stands at 827 Thomas Ave., the former site of American Sound.

(Source: Commercial Appeal / Ultimate Classic Rock)

June 13 - Elegant Poster

Barry Rowe, a member of the AFAS, has created the poster for the 2016 Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance presented by Rolex. The Tour poster features the BMW 507 once owned by the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley.

“In my teens I collected car brochures, and I remember drawing the 507, with its beautiful modern lines, in my sketchbook,” said Rowe. “It’s amazing that I have now painted a poster featuring the BMW 507 on the Pebble Beach Tour!”

Barry has painted 19 Posters for Pebble Beach: 5 Pebble Beach Concours Main Event Posters and 14 Pebble Beach Tour d'Elegance Posters. His art is displayed in museums and collected worldwide. His paintings also decorate the lounges in Royal Caribbean and Cunard Cruise ships.

It's Official

The official Shop Elvis site now also added the "Elvis Way Down In The Jungle" CD and LP.

(Source: Pebble Beach Tour / Shop Elvis)